STR: September U.S. Hotel Rates Rise Again

Average September U.S. hotel daily rates and revenue per available room were up last month from 2019 and from August, while occupancy levels roughly held steady, according to hospitality analytics firm STR.

September U.S. hotel occupancy was 66.7 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from August, and down 0.6 percent from 2019 levels.

September ADR increased 1.9 percent from August to $154.32, which is a 16.9 percent increase from 2019. RevPAR last month similarly increased strides, up 2.3 percent from August to $103, and up 16.3 percent from 2019.

New York City notched the highest September occupancy levels among STR’s top 25 markets at 86.1 percent, which is slightly down (3.8 percent) from 2019 levels. The strong performance can be attributed to New York Fashion Week and the United Nations General Assembly session, according to STR.

Among the cities in STR’s top 25 markets in September with the lowest occupancy were New Orleans, with occupancy at 55.2 percent—down 16.6 percent from 2019 levels—and Houston at 57.4 percent.

STR noted business and group travel increased among the top 25 markets.

Angelique Platas www.businesstravelnews.com